Police: Pontiac man made bomb threat to avoid having to go to work

AUBURN HILLS, MI — Instead of playing hookey, a Pontiac man took drastic action to avoid having to work last week, Auburn Hills police officials say.

The investigation of an Oct. 18 bomb threat BAE Industries, 1426 Pacific Dr. turned up no explosives, but did lead to temp-employee Michael Williams, 20 of Pontiac, whom police arrested on suspicion of calling in the bomb threat.

"There is no indication that Mr. Williams had any plans to harm anyone at the business," police said. "He had received threats from people outside of work and was concerned that someone would come to the business to harm him."

They said Williams was a temporary worker at the business and had only been working there for a few days.

He was also found in possession of a stolen handgun when arrested.

Williams was arraigned before Magistrate Marie Soma on Saturday and charged with false reporting a threat of terrorism, a 20-year felony and/or $20,000 fine; and carrying a concealed weapon, a 5-year felony and/or $2,500 fine. Bond was set at $10,000 cash.

"The business had received a call from the suspect indicating there was a bomb in the building," Aubutn Hills police officials said in a release Monday. "The building was evacuated and a search was conducted with assistance from an Oakland County Sheriff’s Office K-9 explosives dog.

"Mr. Williams admitted to making the bomb threat so that work would be cancelled for the day."

Anyone with information related to this case is asked to contact Detective Brian Martin at 248-370-9444.